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The FOMO is real as PC storage units are running dry thanks to the RAM Crisis — but this SSD with 14,900MB/s Read Speeds is still in stock and on sale

The RAM Crisis has PC users gripped in fear as they're scrambling to buy as much storage space for their PCs as they can before their costs become too unaffordable for the average person, leaving many stores deprived of SSDs.

However, some SSDs have managed to slip through this shopping rush with their stock untouched, like the WD_Black SN8100 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.

This internal storage unit, boasting insanely fast read speeds for work and gaming, is currently on sale at Best Buy for $269.99 for its 1TB model (listing price was $528.99), $399.99 for its 2TB model (listing price was $1,057.99), and $999.00 for its 4TB model (listing price was $2,069.99).


Alternate models on sale:
2TB Model - $399.99 (listing price on Best Buy was $1,057.99)
4TB Model - $999.00 (listing price on Best Buy was $2,069.99)

"Technology moves on, and SanDisk is ready to double the read speeds of my current champion at a higher price for file storage space. Yes, you'll pay more per terabyte with PCIe 5.0, but the WD_BLACK SN8100 actually delivers better value on its read speeds for those who regularly create/render/transfer gigantic files." — Ben Wilson, Senior Editor

Windows Central review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½View Deal

Why buy the WD_Black SN8100 SSD?

A hand holding a 2TB WD_Black SN850 M.2 SSD against a red brick background. The SSD features detailed labeling and a sleek, compact design.

The WD_Black SN850 SSD in hand. (Image credit: Windows Central (Ben Wilson) | WD_ Black)

In an age where files for games, documents, 4K videos, and other pieces of media are taking up hundreds of gigabytes' worth of space, you're going to need a massive SSD to store them in while having high read/write speeds so transferring files won't be slower than snails.

SanDisk's WD_Black SN8100 SSD is one such storage unit, as it comes with 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB models, each one being equipped with high Read Speeds up to 14,900MB/s and Write Speeds up to 11,000MB/s.

This makes the WD_Black SN8100 SSD one of the best SSDs for gaming as these models will have plenty of space to fit your precious games in while cutting down on load times for rendering graphical assets and reducing lag so they feel smoother to play.

WD_BLACK SN8100 PCIe 5.0 SSD speed test in CrystalDiskMark compared to Samsung 990 PRO PCIe 4.0 SSD

WD_BLACK SN8100 PCIe 5.0 SSD speed test in CrystalDiskMark compared to Samsung 990 PRO PCIe 4.0 SSD (Image credit: Windows Central (Ben Wilson))

These read and write speeds are also good for productivity tasks, as the SSD can help your PC transfer files in mere seconds, which can be handy when you need to send work documents, videos, and other important data from one machine to another.

Just make sure your computer has a heatsink attached to its motherboard before installing the WD_Black SN8100, as it can get extremely hot when taking on heavy-duty workflows.

FAQ

Does this SSD require a heatsink?

The WD_Black SN8100 SSD doesn't need a heatsink in order to function, but it's highly recommended you get one, as it can get hot without one when performing heavy workloads.

Can I install it on gaming consoles?

No, the WD_Black SN8100 SSD was built for PCs with PCIe Gen 5 slots, not home gaming consoles.

Can I use it on older PCs with PCIe Gen 4 slots?

The WD_Black SN8100 SSD is backward compatible with PCs using PCIe Gen 4 slots, but the motherboards using these slots won't be able to achieve the same 14,900MB/s Read Speeds and 11,000MB/s Write Speeds a PC using PCIe Gen 5 slots can.

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This more affordable Xbox expansion card beats Amazon's Prime Day discount with a 1TB SSD matching Seagate's performance [UPDATE]

Update (06/29/2026, 4:20am EST): The WD_Black C50 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is no longer in stock at Best Buy. ~ Alexander Cope, Staff Writer

Original article (06/29/2026):

Seagate's Storage Expansion Cards are one of the most popular plug-and-play SSDs for Xbox Series X|S for their increased install space and high read speeds. However, their high listing prices make them somewhat undesirable for the average player, especially during the ongoing memory crisis that has made tech so unaffordable.

Fortunately, Western Digital's WD_Black C50 Expansion Cards offer a cheaper means of adding storage while maintaining similar read speeds, and its 1TB model is now on sale with a 58% discount for $149.99 at Best Buy.


"The WD_BLACK C50 is a great expansion card for Xbox Series X|S, with a new lower price point, a fantastic design, and impeccable performance." — Zachary Boddy, former Staff Writer

Windows Central review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐View Deal

Why buy the WD_Black C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox?

A hand holding a small, black electronic device in a gaming setup, with a colorful, blurred monitor and gaming chair in the background.

The WD_Black C50 Expansion Card next to a Seagate Expansion Card. (Image credit: Windows Central (Zachary Boddy) | Western Digital)

The biggest draw for Western Digital's WD_Black C50 Storage Expansion Cards for Xbox, aside from having chunky install spaces (which include 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB models), is that they allow a player to play games directly installed on the card without having to move them into an Xbox's internal SSD, saving them from tedious game file shuffling and deletion.

Of course, being able to play games directly from the card won't mean much if they don't run well. However, with the power of Xbox Velocity Architecture, the WD_Black C50 Storage Expansion Cards can deliver fast and seamless performance rates for games installed inside them while improving load times and input detection speeds using a Superspeed NVMe Core.

Other notable features include Quick Resume Support so it can suspend a game and let you pick up exactly where you left off, and ease-of-use as you only need to plug the card into Xbox Series X|S's dedicated expansion card slot for it to work - no wires needed.

So, if you're hungry for more space for your Xbox, especially as newer games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 require over 161GB (and that's just for the base game alone without DLC add-ons), then the WD_Black C50 1TB Expansion Card will satiate it for a good while.

FAQ

Will this expansion card require any software installation?

No, WD_Black C50 Storage Expansion Cards are plug-and-play devices that don't require any software installations to function.

Is it compatible with PC?

Can I use it on multiple Xbox consoles?

The WD_Black C50 Storage Expansion Cards are hot-swappable, which means you can unplug them from your Xbox Series X|S and plug them into another one to access your games and save files if you're playing on a friend's Xbox.

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Stop deleting your favorite games: All three Seagate Xbox Expansion Cards are on sale

If you have an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, you probably need more storage. Having to uninstall a game to install a new game or an update to one of your favorite titles is a hassle.

The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is a plug-and-play solution that lets you expand the storage of your console.

Right now, all sizes of the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S are on sale. The 1TB model costs $189.99 Best Buy (was $249.99), the 2TB version costs $259.99 (was $349.99) at Amazon. Best Buy's deal on the 4TB card drops the price to $549.99 (was $649.99).


"Seagate's Storage Expansion Card is the best way to add more space to the latest Xbox consoles, while avoiding the annoying limitations of USB drives. While it's an expensive investment that might be hard to justify, those who drop the cash won't be disappointed with the returns." — Matt Brown, former Senior Editor

Windows Central review:⭐⭐⭐⭐View Deal

This 2TB model has double the storage of the base expansion card and is a great way to get more space for games on your Xbox Series X|S.View Deal

This massive 4TB expansion card is the largest available for your Xbox Series X|S.View Deal

Why buy the Seagate Expansion Card?

Seagate Expansion Card

You can skip game file management and space issues with the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox. (Image credit: Windows Central)

The Seagate Expansion Card is the simplest way to expand the storage of your console. There's no setup or configuration required to use the card.

Xbox Series X|S games can be massive. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 alone is 161GB, and that's without DLC. The Seagate Expansion Card delivers similar speeds to the native storage of the Xbox Series X|S, so you can store games on the card and play them without having to transfer files around.

The Seagate Expansion Card also supports Quick Resume, which is a feature that lets you pause your game and power down your console and then pick up exactly where you left off when you load the game again.

Considering how big games are and how many great games are available on the Xbox Series X|S and on the way to the consoles, an expansion card of some kind is a must have. The Seagate Expansion Card is the easiest to use, quick enough to play games off, and is a great deal during Prime Day.

Alternative discounts

Prime Day discounts and a deal at Best Buy provide the best prices on the Seagate Expansion Card, but if those deals expire, you can check out these alternatives:

1TB

2TB

FAQ

Can I use it on PC?

The Seagate Expansion Card is meant to be used with an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, but it can work with a PC if you pair it with the right adapter.

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The cheapest SSD prices since February expire soon — I don't want you to miss 49% off the Samsung 9100 PRO

Anyone who's looked at storage prices recently knows that they're completely out of hand. I've been waiting to add some storage to my gaming PC for about six months now, and it's getting to the point where I'll have to bite at a deal like this one on the Samsung 9100 PRO.

This high-performance M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD comes in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB configurations, with blazing fast transfer speeds and the regular durability you expect from Samsung.

"Regular" (inflated) prices have been cut by up to 49%, and you can now land a 1TB drive for as low as $206.99. Best part? You don't have to be a Prime subscriber to nab the deal.

The 1TB model is the most affordable version out there, falling by 39% to hit $206.99. This is the lowest price I've seen in 2026.

👉 See at Amazon.comView Deal

You can get twice as much storage as the 1TB model for only about $143 more, which really isn't much in this current SSD climate. The price hasn't been this low in nearly five months. This is also the biggest savings at 49%.

👉 See at Amazon.comView Deal

If you only have room for one SSD, make it a 4TB version. Samsung's 4TB 9100 PRO is now $41% off, dropping the price to $799.99.

👉 See at Amazon.comView Deal

What makes the Samsung 9100 PRO SSD so good?

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop processor up close

Samsung's 9100 PRO is an outstanding SSD for pros, but casual PC users can also reap the benefits of insane transfer speeds. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)

The 9100 PRO was Samsung's first shot at a full-fledged PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD, and to say the company nailed the execution is an understatement.

It's theoretically capable of hitting unreal 14,800MB/s read speeds and 13,400MB/s write speeds, and although those numbers may drop a bit in real-world practice, it's still an incredibly fast drive.

Our friends at TechRadar reviewed the 9100 PRO when it launched last year, and it was awarded 4.5 stars and a Recommended Award.

The TL;DR? It's an exceptional drive for professionals who frequently deal with oversized files and who don't want any hiccups in their workflow.

If you're looking for a drive that you can use in more of a professional capacity with frequent saves of very large files like video projects or video game packages in Unreal Engine, the Samsung 9100 Pro is the best SSD you're going to get for that purpose and it will absolutely speed up your everyday workflow considerably.

John Loeffler, TechRadar

You do, of course, want to pair this drive with a PC that's capable of running a PCIe 5.0 drive to get the most out of it, but it will function at lower speeds in a PCIe 4.0 system. That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you're putting together a new PC piece by piece as sales come and go.

If I do buy one of these drives, I'll most likely go with the 2TB version at $349.99. It's the best value at 49% off, costing less per GB than the 1TB and 4TB versions.

I should also mention that these drives come with a 5-year Samsung warranty to protect your purchase.

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This portable 1TB SSD is just what I need to store my PC and Xbox games while traveling — without costing me a fortune

Amazon is offering a 31% early Prime Day discount for the Samsung T7, a modest and affordable portable SSD with 1TB of space, great performance rates for work and gaming purposes, and an integrated fingerprint scanner to keep its files safe from thieves.

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